What is the effect of current limiting devices on fault levels ?

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Presenter

Boris Fuchs
Systems Engineer
Partner Products
Schneider Electric

Boris Fuchs

Schneider Electric | Page 2

 Answer …

No effect
Zilch
Zero
Papow
Nice try
No cigar
Nada

Sorry
Yeh.. Nah

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 3

 What is a fault level ?

Definition :
RMS value of the …
prospective ( = theoretical) …
symmetrical (steady-state) …
short circuit current.

𝑈
Calculated using Ohm’s Law : 𝐼 =
𝑍

No effect from current limiting device in U and Z

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 4

 What do current limiting devices do ?

Current limiting devices reduce :

#1 actual current (not theoretical or prospective current)

#2 allow trips in < 10ms (typically) so no steady state symmetrical signal

Unable to determine the “RMS value” of the limited waveform

Unable to determine a “limited fault level”

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 5

 How to measure current limitation

With current limiting curves !

Example : Schneider Electric NSX160 MCCB, prospective current
of 40kA MS

Peak let-through = 18.5 kA peak

Energy let-through = 6.105 A2s

..

That is it.. No further info can be inferred.

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 6

 Where does the “myth” come from ?

Inappropriate interpretation and usage of current limiting curves from some manufacturers.
(1) Introduce the concept of an “apparent “ or “RMS
Let-Through” current which corresponds to a
“true” RMS fault current with the same peak as
the limited peak

(2) Imply or suggest that this “apparent” RMS is the

“new” fault level downstream of the fuse

(3) This leads to assume downstream

switchgear/equipment can be selected based on
this “apparent” RMS value

Step 3 is :
• False
• Dangerous
• Non Compliant to 60947-2 (refer cascading)

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 7

 Effect of a downstream current limiting device

The downstream device starts reacting first

It reduces the current seen by the upstream
Upstream provides additional device (ie it affects its performance)
limitation to the downstream
The only way to test how they both work
together is to do a test (60947-2)
Results of the testing are provided in
Cascading charts
Downstream
starts to limit

Cascading increases the breaking

capacity of downstream devices by
association

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 8

 Conclusion

Do not assume the fault level downstream of current limiting devices is “6kA” (*)

It isn’t !
The load-side fault level is the same as the line-side fault level

(*) or any other value lower than the calculated (Ohm’s Law) prospective fault current

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 9

 Earth Fault Protection on Incomers
Is more Protection too much Protection?

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 Motivation for installation earth fault protections

Better protection ?
Earth fault loop impedance ?
Internal arc fault protection ?
Arc flash hazard reduction ?

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 11

 Key considerations

# 1 : There is no limit to improving safety

# 2 : Additional safety measures should not create a NEW risk

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 What does earth fault protection do ?

Monitors earth fault current

Issues a trip order when earth fault current exceeds
a user set threshold for a certain time

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 13

 Consequence of equipping the main incomer with earth fault
protection
• The Main incomer (SPD) could trip on any earth fault in the
installation (not only for faults in the MSB)
• A trip of the SPD could be :
• a non conformance to AS/NZS300 Clause 2.5.5 (Reliability of
supply) , and
• could create a hazard : loss of supply to safety services

Solution :
• Assess discrimination performance of the installation under
earth fault conditions
• Implement earth fault protection on outgoing supplies as well

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 14

 Is the earth fault necessary ?

• Can the SPD protection be set (short time / instantaneous settings) to achieve the protection
requirements achieved by the earth fault protection relay ?
• Can the switchboard / installation be designed in such a way as to
• reduce the risk of earth fault currents occurring, or
• Generate high earth currents that will trigger the short-time / instantaneous protection

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric | Page 15

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